US and NATO: no sign of Russian pullback from border

WASHINGTON - A Pentagon spokesman says if Russian troops were really pulling back from the border with Ukraine, then "we would know." And he says that doesn't seem to be happening.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told diplomats today that his troops have been moved away from the border region. Putin today also called on Ukraine's military to stop its operations against pro-Russia activists who have seized government buildings and police stations in at least a dozen towns in eastern Ukraine. And he called for Sunday's referendum on autonomy in eastern Ukraine to be postponed.

NATO also says it has seen no evidence of a Russian pullback.

Russia has had about 40,000 troops positioned on Ukraine's border for several weeks. The U.S. says those forces are there to stir up instability in Ukraine, not for regular training exercises.